Clever Card Tricks for the Hopelessly Clumsy
Bob Longe
Clever Card Tricks for the Hopelessly Clumsy
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Bob Longe
The text is written at a 4th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for middle graders (ages 9–12), and the content is gentle with no concerning themes.
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About This Book
The crisp snap of cards flipping fills the air as you prepare your next magical move. Feel the smooth edges slip through your fingers, even if you’re a little clumsy. Imagine amazing your friends with tricks so sneaky, they won’t know how you did it—but that’s just the beginning of the fun!
Themes
Quick Assessment
This book introduces children ages 9-12 to simple and approachable card tricks designed for beginners, especially those who may struggle with dexterity. It focuses on easy techniques and performance skills to build confidence and entertain peers, without requiring advanced manual skills. The content is lighthearted and suitable for middle-grade readers interested in magic and games.
Why we rated Clever Card Tricks for the Hopelessly Clumsy 9C
Clever Card Tricks for the Hopelessly Clumsy is written at a Level 4-5 reading level across 128 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 5.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Clever Card Tricks for the Hopelessly Clumsy works for readers up to grade 6.5.
We rate Clever Card Tricks for the Hopelessly Clumsy as 9C ("Clear") because the content sits in the "Gentle" range — no conflict beyond everyday childhood experiences. Across our four dimensions (emotional, physical, social, thematic) the book reads as evenly gentle; no single dimension stands out as a concern.
No specific content flags were raised by community reviewers, which is consistent with the gentle intensity score.
Thematically, Clever Card Tricks for the Hopelessly Clumsy explores card games, conjuring & magic, games, children's 9-12 - games / gamebooks / crosswords, and games/puzzles — these threads give the book room to mean different things to different readers.
Good fit for
- ✓ Children in the Ages 9-12 range — the maturity and attention span match the story's pacing.
- ✓ Patient readers who enjoy slower, character-driven stories.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about card games, conjuring & magic, games.
Maybe not for
- ! Readers whose emotional readiness lags behind their decoding skills — this book's intensity outruns its reading level, a classic "gifted kid" mismatch.
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
9C — ClearNo conflict beyond everyday childhood experiences. Safe for sensitive readers.
Was our "Gentle" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
1/10A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.
Discussion Potential
1/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9780806980140
- Pages
- 128
- Publisher
- Sterling Publishing (NY)
- Published
- December 2001
- Type
- Fiction